Less Toxicity, and More Understanding: Let’s Fight for Trans Rights.

Personally, I am entirely happy with the statement “trans women are women and trans men or men” - however many people will not be. And tbh, I don’t think it is a realistic outcome to expect that everyone is happy with that phrase, nor is it the point.

The goal needs to be that however we feel about the above phrase, we agree that trans gendered people exist, and that they deserve the same dignity and respect as cis gendered people.

I imagine that this is a view most people can get behind, so why is social media so full of toxic rage? Why is anyone who supports trans rights labeled a misogynist, whilst many who uphold trans rights whilst believing there is a distinction between a trans man and a cis man get labeled as bigots?

I believe that we need to reframe the conversation. Forget reductionist phrases, and lets forget about needing a pee for a minute. Let’s focus on the fundamental principle, that trans rights are a central and core part of a healthy, fair and safe society.

It is entirely consistent to hold the following set of beliefs:

“I believe that a trans woman is different to a cis woman, and I believe that both are worthy of respect, deserving a life free from persecution, and to live as they choose”

Likewise the following statement:

“I believe that woman should have spaces free from patriarchal violence and that they should be able to use the bathroom in safety and without fear, and I also believe that a trans woman, who identifies as a woman and presents as a woman, should be able to peacefully use the woman’s rest room when they need to without discrimination”

So why are we constantly told that these beliefs are not compatible, when they clearly are?

Fighting Transphobia is Fighting Patriarchy

It is completely consistent to fight patriarchy whilst supporting trans rights. In fact, the more anti-trans sentiment we see, the more homophobic and misogynistic hate crimes we see too. Likewise, countries with trans equality have better women’s rights, for example Iceland.

Let’s remember that trans rights are about the rights of those born male and female at birth, who identify and present as a different gender. There are as many trans men as there are trans women, and trans people tend to want what the rest of us want: to live a life free of persecution and to be able to pee when out and about.

So what’s the problem?

The problem is that there is a strong and well funded anti-trans lobby that is linked to the patriarchal far-right. They are fueling tensions at every opportunity and polluting discourse across the board. The right-wing lobby take every opportunity to demonise the trans community,= and to paint them as a threat to women’s safety - despite the evidence showing they are much more likely to be the victims of patriarchal abuse.

That doesn’t mean that people who have differing views on gender are necessarily far-right, but it does mean that the far-right are actively seeking to exploit anti-gender sentiment for their own ideological gain.

The fact is that trans people are simply people, and its transphobia to try and pretend otherwise.

So how to we solve this?

Firstly, we need to reject the framing of the situation by the right-wing media.

Trans rights are not in competition with women's rights. That is a myth. In fact, we know that places with stronger trans rights have the best gender equality.

Just look at Britain in recent years, a steep rise in transphobia, coupled with a rise in misogyny, racism and homophobia. It’s not coincidence, it’s connected.

What’s more, we need to resist the temptation to jump into tribal culture wars at every opportunity, whilst maintaining a strong uncompromising stance on trans rights. We need to learn about structural oppression and intersectionality, and how we can all do our bit to show solidarity as allies and comrades. In essence, we need to get better at listening and trying to understand, knowing that we don’t have to be able to fully understand a different experience or perspective to still offer that person the respect and dignity they deserve.

Trans rights are 100% a trade union issue, and we need to ensure we have solidarity across the movement. Those who actively seek to persecute the trans community will also seek to persecute the gay community or the migrant community. It is only through solidarity that we realise despite our differences, we can still unite together to fight oppression.

I write this from the a position of being a cis-male, and I recognise that for many trans people right now, the constant attack on their rights is overwhelming. I’m also aware that women (cis and trans) are seeing a steep rise in patriarchal violence as we see the resurgence of far-right ideology.

That’s why I want to try and do my bit to improve discourse around trans rights, to try and get closer to the outcome we should all be seeking: a fair and safe world for all.

We don’t all need to agree on the exact differences between a trans-gendered person and a cis-gendered one. The fact is we never will. We just need to agree that both are equally deserving of love and respect.

What’s wrong with the current EHRC guidance?

Sadly, the current EHRC guidance has led to many trans people feeling completely unsafe and unable to use toilets when out and about. Fundamentally, any guidance regardless of its original intention, that leads to a minority group feeling persecuted and unsafe, is clearly not workable.

Trans men are being excluded from women’s toilets and from the men’s - meaning many people cannot even pee when out and about. Moreover, many cis-gendered people who don’t comply with gender stereotypes are facing persecution and interrogation about their gender and sex. This guidance is simply unworkable. There is no safe consistent way to police gender or sex in toilets, so perhaps we need to look at the situation differently.

A hope for the future

I hope that people read this article in the spirit it is intended, and that we can all pause for thought and see if there is a better way we could be doing things. I really hope we can.

None of us are equal until we are all equal. None is free until we all are free. Solidarity forever!

Here is a link to the mass parliamentary lobby for Trans Equality - I hope as many people as possible can attend: Mass Lobby for Trans Equality

Solidarity with the Trans community - and I am so sorry for the deluge of abuse you are experiencing. Know you are not alone.

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